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Barrel racing saddles should enable the rider to maneuver her horse quickly & easily since time is critical in the event. They are the smallest and lightest of the western saddle types. Since these saddles are designed primarily for women they often have flashy colours, patterns and materials.
Typical features of a barrel saddle include:
Lighter weight; usually under 30 pounds
A deep seat to hold in the rider
A thin and taller horn for the rider to grab onto during hard turns
Narrow stirrups to hold the foot in place
Front cinch only.
In-skirt rigging
Shorter skirts. Round skirts used to be the norm, but square skirts are now in fashion.
Relatively high cantle for security
Free swinging fenders to allow the rider to keep her legs underneath her center of gravity
A higher fork with relatively wide swells to secure the rider
Rough-out seat, fenders, and side jockeys for extra grip
Hilason Saddlery, Tx (www.hilason.com)is a specialist in barrel racing and other hand-made Western and English saddles including treeless saddles, flex tree saddles, side saddles, show saddles, chaps, showmanship and horse tacks.
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